The catch
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
It has neither Bluetooth nor active noise cancellation.
Side by side
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs ATH-M40x Compared: For a laptop, M50x includes the short cable
Quick verdict
ATH-M40x is the lighter wired recording pair, and it works if the included long cables suit your desk. ATH-M50x is the better pick when you also use a laptop or portable player and want the short 1.2 m lead in the box. Bluetooth, a microphone and ANC are absent from both.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Weight cut by 16%
Before the cable is added, M40x weighs about 16% less than M50x.
Where this comes from
15.8% = (285 - 240) / 285 × 100, using manufacturer weights without cable.
The catch
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The short straight cable that comes with the M50x is not in this box.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Why pick it
- The supplied 1.2 m straight lead is what you want.
- Your sources range from portable to studio.
- The catch
- It has neither Bluetooth nor active noise cancellation.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Why pick it
- A lighter headphone is the goal.
- Your workspace is already served by the supplied 3 m lead.
- The catch
- The short straight cable that comes with the M50x is not in this box.
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What this page compares
ATH-M50x and ATH-M40x compared on supplied cables, weight and recording setup, including whether the short lead is worth paying extra for.
ATH-M40x is the lighter wired recording pair, and it works if the included long cables suit your desk. ATH-M50x is the better pick when you also use a laptop or portable player and want the short 1.2 m lead in the box. Bluetooth, a microphone and ANC are absent from both.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A laptop next to you
Less loose lead results from the M50x 1.2 m cable than from a 3 m cable.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Better fit
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Good
A long session where weight comes first
M40x weighs 45 g less, but clamp and pad fit still need to be tried.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Good
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Better fit
Your interface is 2 m from the seat
A straight 3 m lead comes with both.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Similar
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Similar
Calls made via the headphone cable
No microphone is built into either supplied cable.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Not suitable
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Weight cut by 16%
Before the cable is added, M40x weighs about 16% less than M50x.
How we worked this out
15.8% = (285 - 240) / 285 × 100, using manufacturer weights without cable.
Loose lead drops by 1.8 m with the short cable
Next to a laptop, the short straight cable of the M50x is 60% shorter than the straight lead supplied with the M40x.
How we worked this out
3 - 1.2 = 1.8 m, then 1.8 / 3 × 100 = 60%.
A setup with a long desk needs no upgrade to M50x
The same 3 m straight reach and a replaceable cable are already there on both.
How we worked this out
A detachable 3 m straight cable appears in the manufacturer package lists for both models.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Fails these checksThis model cannot play over Bluetooth.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Fails these checksThis model cannot play over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Audio-Technica, ATH-M50x
ATH-M50x
This foldable wired pair ships with a short cable, a long one and a coiled one, so you can go from a laptop to an audio interface without buying another lead.
- Best for
- A single wired pair that serves a recording desk and a laptop bag
Facts we checked
- Cables in the package are 1.2 m straight, 3 m straight and 1.2 to 3 m coiled.
- Without the cable and connector, the headphone weighs 285 g.
- The design is closed-back and 38-ohm, with earcups that fold inward.
Option B
Audio-Technica, ATH-M40x
ATH-M40x
At 240 g, this wired studio model folds to go in a bag and has a replaceable cable. The leads in the box suit an interface or desktop setup better.
- Best for
- Wired recording with a lighter closed-back pair
Facts we checked
- Without cable and connector, the manufacturer lists 240 g.
- The supplied cables are a 3 m straight cable and a 1.2 to 3 m coiled cable.
- A 35-ohm impedance applies to the closed-back design.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Audio-Technica ATH-M40x | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight without cable | 285 g | 240 g | Before any cable weight is counted, M40x saves 45 g. |
| Shortest supplied straight lead | 1.2 m | 3 m | On a small desk, M50x leaves less spare cable. |
| Longest supplied straight lead | 3 m | 3 m | Using their long lead, both reach the same interface position. |
| Supplied audio cables | Three | Two | What the M50x adds is a short straight cable and not an additional connection type. |
| Cable replacement | Detachable | Detachable | A fixed-cable repair is avoided on both if the lead fails. |
| Storage | Folds inward | Folds inward | M50x does not have a monopoly on portability. |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 35 ohms | A difference this small says nothing about ranking loudness or sound quality. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- None of the supplied cables includes a microphone.
With Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Nothing here provides a microphone, Bluetooth or active noise cancellation.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The supplied 1.2 m straight lead is what you want.
Go with Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Sitting at a laptop on the same desk, you may find the M50x short cable spares you more hassle than the higher model number suggests. It neither improves the source nor adds a microphone.
A lighter headphone is the goal.
Go with Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. M40x already comes with a 3 m straight cable for a fixed interface or keyboard. If weight counts for more than a short lead, its 45 g reduction is a tangible reason to pick it.
Decision guide
How to decide
For a lighter wired recording pair whose long cables suit your desk, go with ATH-M40x. If you also use a laptop or portable player and want the short 1.2 m lead in the box, go with ATH-M50x. Neither one adds Bluetooth, a microphone or ANC.
Portable use comes down to the cable
Sitting at a laptop on the same desk, you may find the M50x short cable spares you more hassle than the higher model number suggests. It neither improves the source nor adds a microphone.
Do not pay for a long lead twice
M40x already comes with a 3 m straight cable for a fixed interface or keyboard. If weight counts for more than a short lead, its 45 g reduction is a tangible reason to pick it.
Sound preference is not found in the spec table
Driver diameter and response endpoints cannot tell you which tuning you will like. This page offers advice on connections and handling. It names no listening-test winner.
What this page can’t tell you
- Clamping pressure and comfort with glasses cannot be read from weight.
- This comparison involved no frequency-response or isolation test.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 17 of the 60 models checked meet every need here: “I want music even with a dead battery”, “My bag has no space left”, and “I connect to a headphone jack”.
17 models fit, out of 60 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I want music even with a dead battery”, “My bag has no space left”, and “I connect to a headphone jack”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x |
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| Audio-Technica ATH-M40x |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
The supplied 1.2 m straight lead is what you want.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudio-Technica ATH-M40x
A lighter headphone is the goal.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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